Category Archives: TVD Los Angeles

They took the whole Cherokee nation / Put us on this reservation / Took away our ways of life / The tomahawk and the bow and knife / Took away our native tongue / And taught their English to our young / And all the beads we made by hand / Are nowadays made in Japan…

So much has been said about the protests at Standing Rock, North Dakota. Well, I should say so many posts have been made on Facebook. Honestly I really don’t know much of the facts. What I do know is state troopers are standing down Native Americans.

Our Native Americans are people who used to live free, worship, and respect the land, plants and animals. This “land” is our country and they should be treated as sacred, let alone as scabs. Sadly with “the Donald” coming into power, there’s even more to think about than a 21st century Wounded Knee.

This week has been very different from the last. For the most part I’ve kept 2016 close to the canyon (home), but on Monday it was time I took a road trip. So “southbound” I flew. First back to “FLA” to visit my dad in Miami, then Wednesday it was off to the Gulf Coast—a flight to Pensacola, then an hour drive to Mobile, Alabama.

Aside from driving through in the summer of ’76 as a teenager, I’ve never been to Alabama. This year I met a few brilliant people from down here and we’ve been happily working together creating a “home-brew”—a 21st century Alabama music company. I’ve found the warmth and enthusiasm of my new “Bama” friends is refreshing and there’s plenty of cheap oysters and gas. The coffee is surprisingly good too.Read More »

I remember you well in the Chelsea Hotel, You were talking so brave and so sweet, Giving me head on the unmade bed, While the limousines wait in the street.

Those were the reasons and that was New York, We were running for the money and the flesh. And that was called love for the workers in song, Probably still is for those of them left.

Ah but you got away, didn’t you babe, You just turned your back on the crowd, You got away, I never once heard you say, I need you, I don’t need you, I need you, I don’t need you, And all of that jiving around.

Stunned, I really can’t remember a week like this since I started doing the The Idelic Hour. I guess I can only compare this week to that of 9/11, the LA Riots, and the Northridge Earthquake.

As I often note, The Idelic Hour—this hour+ “mixed” playlist of songs and this little column—is what I consider my “living diary.” As my wife and likely Jon from TVD knows, I often finish my “thoughts” early morning. Many Fridays I have nothing really to say—after all I’m really trying to connect to the universe through DJing an hour of songs, so often I just post some lyrics and fill a few lines. (Hey, that works.)

Today feels slightly different. Not because Chicago finally won a World Series. I mean, it was a great game, but I’m from “the coast.”

Ever since the riots / All I really wanted / Was a black girlfriend / They don’t play around / They’re hard enough / To keep any man in line / Thinking of my pale white skin / Thinking of her dark and smooth / She against me / (My black girlfriend) My black girlfriend / Black girlfriend

Most of my Idelic Hour shows are made mid-week and finished Thursday late evening in my garage office (in the Canyon of course!) Funny enough, I woke up this morning realizing something was missing! Yep, I spaced on finishing this week’s show—ha!

It’s not the first time I’ve cut (MC’d) in the AM but it has a different vibe for sure, especially in a mix of sounds inspired by darkness. I don’t know about you, but I think this time of year (mid October to January) has the darkest nights. Take it from someone who still often roams at night. ‘Tis the season of darkness.

He’s looking like a sailor / Who hasn’t a ship / Same salty song / And curled up lips / In the land of the brave / And running out of vain / Waiting for a guy, silver-eyed / Like a bullet train…

Out of the desert and into the oven. After a day of rain the heat turned up in the canyon. Driving on Mulholland, I saw the temperature hit 100 twice yesterday. With all the “glare,” it’s a struggle to keep my eyes on the prize. At the end of the day, life and what’s really important is… “lovely” still.

Sunday, October 23 is a special day. My talented, magical, “bewitching beauty” Zoe turns 22. So this weekend it’s time to turn up the music and celebrate.

Just enough time for a quick note this week. I was out unusually late two nights in a row rocking to cool bands and friends—Warpaint, Warbly Jets, Brian Bell, and CG Roxanne & The Nightmares.

Now I’m packing my gear, jumping in the car, and rocking to Joshua Tree for one of this year’s musical “high points,” the Desert Daze festival. It’s all the cool rock bands from the last few years mixed with indian summer air, family, and friends. Another late night ahead. Deplorable but adorable! (Props to Liz and Mitchell!)

Found money and fame / But I found them really late / So in my mansion I’d sit / Waiting for it all to end / My material, my friends / My material, my friends / I made lots of friends / I made lots and lots of friends / And on me did they depend / And on me did they depend / See the horror on my face / I can finally leave this place / Over blue star moonbeam trace / I can’t remember my address…

Bradford Cox, Jagger, or Dylan? My wife only wants to hear Deerhunter or Atlas Sound. Wow OK, that’s a trip I can live with.

Last week and continuing into today, the internet has been filled with predictions of a catastrophic earthquake in Los Angeles. The weather last week was breezy, very hot and dry. For all my years in LA such weather is referred to as “earthquake weather.” This said, when the Northridge quake hit I can’t recall the weather.

I do remember standing in a parking lot only hours before “Northridge” with Pretender Chrissie Hynde and animator Mike Judge (Beavis and Butt-head). We talked about Ohio and thought Mike was cooler than expected. As the quake hit, I was alone and jolted, thankful for my ex-wife’s dog. And it was dark. VERY dark. I was talking to that lil’ dog all night long. I think Bizou and I were forever bonded that long night.

OK look, I’m supposed to be impartially reporting on what I saw…and I will, but I just have to say that I love the DESCENDENTS! I’m excited that they’ve released their first new record in 12 years (Hypercaffium Spazzinate) and I’m equally as excited that they are currently playing shows in select cities to introduce people to the new material (and play a ton of old tunes too). And finally, I’m really happy to have heard a rumor that the band is booking shows, possibly a tour, for 2017.

The Hollywood Palladium was sold out and packed with people from all walks of life. There were brand new fans, parents who brought their kids, and die-hard fans proudly wearing their old Descendents t-shirts purchased at shows long ago.

Sharp Shock opened the show. Playing just their second live show ever, they were a sharp dressed power pop trio. Are you thinking The Jam? You should be, in a good way. Sharp Shock features tattoo artist Dan Smith (of LA Ink fame) on bass and backing vocals. With the venue continuing to fill up, Modern Baseball was up next. The crowd absolutely loved these indie rockers from PA, singing along with many of the songs. I even heard some high-pitched screaming reminiscent of Beatlemania.

Into numberless reflections / Rises a smile from your eyes into mine / Frozen warnings close to mine / Close to the frozen borderline / Frozen warnings close to mine / Close to the frozen borderline

Reading Nico’s icy lyric, I can’t help to think about last Monday’s Presidential debate. Yikes! God help us!

On an opposite note, it’s been a hot one in the canyon this week. What this current heatwave has to do with “frozen warnings,” fuck only knows.

I’ve always liked hot Santa Ana winds, and warnings in a song. One of my band’s first songs was called “Beware.” It’s actually pretty funny that the song had absolutely no meaning, but drew out that certain smile I only seem to find in young men wearing leather jeans or cool psychedelic garb.